Ransomware Attack on UMAPS by Dispossessor Group Exposes Critical Data
Incident Date:
July 12, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Attack on UMAPS by Dispossessor Group Exposes Critical Data
Victim
UMAPS - Unidad Municipal de Agua Potable y Saneamiento
Attacker
Dispossessor
Location
First Reported
July 12, 2024
Ransomware Attack on UMAPS by Dispossessor Group
Overview of UMAPS
UMAPS, or Unidad Municipal de Agua Potable y Saneamiento, is a municipal entity responsible for managing and regulating water supply and sanitation services in the Central District of Honduras. Led by General Manager Arturo Tróchez and operating under Mayor Jorge Aldana, UMAPS ensures residents have access to clean drinking water and efficient sanitation services. The organization is involved in infrastructure projects, such as the construction of reservoirs, and provides services like septic tank cleaning and manhole cover fabrication.
Details of the Attack
UMAPS has recently fallen victim to a cyberattack by the group Dispossessor. The attackers have threatened to release sensitive data on public platforms, including YouTube, if their ransom demands are not met. The compromised data includes critical information related to drinking water supply, water treatment, and sanitation services, posing significant risks to public health and security. This breach underscores the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect essential infrastructure.
About Dispossessor Ransomware Group
Dispossessor emerged in the ransomware scene following a crackdown on the notorious LockBit group. The group mimics LockBit’s structure and content, suggesting either a rebranding effort or a new group leveraging LockBit’s infrastructure. Dispossessor operates under a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, allowing affiliates to distribute ransomware and execute attacks. Unlike typical ransomware groups, Dispossessor functions primarily as data brokers, publishing data leaks from other groups.
Potential Vulnerabilities
UMAPS, as a municipal utility, manages critical infrastructure and sensitive data, making it a prime target for ransomware attacks. The organization's extensive involvement in water supply and sanitation projects, coupled with its reliance on digital systems for operations and billing, presents multiple entry points for cyber threats. The attack by Dispossessor highlights the vulnerabilities in UMAPS's cybersecurity measures and the need for immediate action to address these weaknesses.
Sources
Recent Ransomware Attacks
The Recent Ransomware Attacks (RRA) site acts as a watchtower, providing you with near real-time ransomware tracking of attacks, groups and their victims. Given threat actors’ overarching, lucrative success so far, ransomware attacks have become the most ubiquitous, and financially and informationally impactful cyber threat to businesses and organizations today.
The site’s data is generated based on hosting choices of real-world threat actors, and a handful of other trackers. While sanitization efforts have been taken, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the data. Attack updates will be made as source data is reported by reputable sources. By viewing, accessing, or using RRA you acknowledge you are doing so at your own risk.